A few weeks of Fall are left and while the colours are gone, the possibility to do some outdoor activities before the ski season remains! Before you put on your comfy sweaters and stay in for the day, take the time to head outside and fill your lungs with some fresh air. .Here are a few tips to help you prepare a nice walk with your friends.

View from Montagne Verte, Labelle / Tremblant

1. Plan ahead

Check the weather and the trail your planning to try. Aim for something that’s at least 6-7 km as that will allow you to plan a lunch break and enjoy the scenery. If you plan ahead you can also make it a group activity!

2. Go early

Avoid the crowds by starting your walk in the early morning 9 o’clock is the perfect time. Have a fulfilling breakfast before you go out. Our Strawberry Oats Recipe is a great idea and perfect to fill you up!

3. Pack a lunch.

Pack some fruits and veggies, a few nuts and a sandwich to satisfy your cravings. If you’re going in a group, you can split the list and everyone can bring something along! Take the time to enjoy your lunch about halfway on the trail.

4. Dress the part

Sure, you can go hiking in jeans, it’s totally doable. BUT why would you? Shoes and proper equipment will make your stroll much easier and will give you a lot more flexibility if the ground is harder to manage. Be sure to check the weather before you leave and wear some layers so you’re not too hot or too cold!

5. Plan an activity after the hike

Whether it’s time at a spa or a comforting supper with friends, be sure to plan an activity for after your walk! A spaghetti supper is a great idea if you’re in a large group. If you’re tempted, you can try this spaghetti sauce recipe from Chatelaine which is full of veggies!

According to Instagram, I ran my first half-marathon 109 weeks ago. It was a challenge my boyfriend and I had given each other and we completed it on a hot August day! We completed our first half-marathon in Tremblant, the event is called Demi-marathon de Mont-Tremblant. The course is truly beautiful starting near the casino and ending in St-Jovite, but it is one rough course. There are A LOT of hills.

Once I completed the race, the pain was real, but I loved the experience and decided to complete a second one that year with a friend in Oka. The second race wasn’t quite as hard, but it was one chilly day of November! Last year, I completed my third race in Montreal taking part in the Rock’n’Roll Marathon in Montreal. I admit I hadn’t trained enough for this one and the weather was much hotter than expected for September. However, the beginning of the race on the Jacques-Cartier bridge gave me the best feeling ever!

Starting the race on Montreal’s Jacques Cartier Bridge

In a few weeks, I’ll partake in my fourth race in Saint-Sauveur! Here are some tips to get your started.

My tips to get race ready

Start to train early. A half-marathon is no joke, the pain you’ll feel is real and your body has to be used to feeling it for the race to go well.

My best races have always happened when I’ve been training for at least 4 months.

In May, after a crazy Winter that included changing jobs, a second semester back at school and the exhausting realities of our modern life, I texted Gabrielle one night to ask if she’d want to go to Wanderlust Tremblant. We’d been talking about it for nearly two years and the timing seemed perfect. It was a plan to end the summer in beauty! (The festival was held August 20-23 this year)

For our first experience at a yoga festival, we decided to be reasonable and stick to one day to see if we’d enjoy it! We reserved for the Sunday and started to look at the different classes we could partake in! The registration process is really easy, once you register, you can create your schedule. It’s important to note that Wanderlust isn’t like your typical music festival, you need to book your spot in the classes you want to partake in.

Lesson 1: Book in advance! A lot of the classes we would have liked to do : mostly aerial and SUP were filled at that point. Planning your festival ahead really allows you to enjoy the most out of it.

Getting there

Tremblant is about 1h30 away from Montreal, my mother lives nearby but we ended up driving at 6 am the morning of. I’m sure the day would have been much more relaxing had we slept at the resort. If you’re going for the weekend, I recommend staying on the resort as there are tons to do including beautiful hikes in the mountain!

The schedule we ended up with wasn’t our original one. We were supposed to do a hike in the mountain but decided it would be too much last minute. Instead, we ended up inspired by Dharma Mittra who after talking about his discoveries about life guided us through a session of meditation. The schedule allowed us to enjoy Tom’s coffee and have brunch at La Maison de la Crèpe between two of our classes.

Lesson 2: Do plan time to have a fulfilling meal. Doing 4 yoga classes isn’t an easy endeavour and you’ll need as much energy as possible to be excited for he last Sun Salutations of the day! Also, don’t forget your bottle of water.

Overall impressions

The festival was amazing, the energy was high in every class and everyone seemed so happy to be there. The organization was really great and we had no trouble finding anything we wanted. The teachers were inspiring and really good at pushing us further : I’ve never done so many triangle poses in a day! We will without a doubt be back next year, possibly for two days! Wanderlust’s slogan is “Find Your True North” and I’m pretty sure I found mine at the end of the day, laying in Savanasa on the beach, I had a true moment of clarity and that in itself was worth all the sweat from those 6 intense hours of yoga!

Last October, I took a plane to Milan to visit my friend Vero who’s been traveling with her boyfriend for over a year now (you can read her AMAZING adventures here). Even if we’d only been apart for a few months, we couldn’t wait to be reunited!

Goofing around

at Colonne Di San Lorenzo,

Milan’s best open-air pub!

After a couple of days in Italy, Vero and I packed our bags and flew to Czech Republic where we visited fairytale-looking Prague and Cesky Krumlov. We walked around carrying our large backpacks and slept on not-so-comfy hostel beds. A little exhausted from this adventurous journey, we couldn’t wait for our yoga retreat in Pocátky!

So we hopped on the train and arrived at this lost-in-the-wild station. There a nice man picked us up and drove us to the Resort Svatá Katerina where we’d spend an enchanting weekend. We stepped outside of the car, gazing at the forests and valleys surrounding the resort and breathing in October’s crisp and fresh air. Peacefulness was all around…

Our Yoga Detox Weekend package included 5 yoga classes, cleansing vegan meals, a lecture on the benefits of yoga and detoxification and access to the spa and its relaxing baths.

The Yoga Classes

We arrived at our first yoga class, unrolled our mats and sat down, eyes closed. After hearing the first words of class, we looked at each other, eyes wide…the teacher was only speaking czech! We learned on the spot that all our yoga classes were going to be taught in this beautiful but puzzling language. In the end, it was a great surprise as it made the experience truly authentic … we laughed it out! The yoga classes were of a beginner-intermediate level, the retreat is for everyone just willing to unwind!

The Rooms

The rooms were modest but very comfortable, and most importantly, the beds were heaven to us after sleeping at hostels the previous days. Let me just say we slept like exhausted children our entire stay!

The Food

When we peeked at the menu and read that purees, wheatgrass juices, porridge, and detox teas were about the only things that would fill our stomachs for the next 3 days, we didn’t know how our bodies would react. However, our verdict was surprisingly positive! Every meal left us nourished but never full, which is an unusual feeling I promise your body will learn to love!

A few tips if you plan on doing a yoga detox weekend…

Don’t bring much. It’s THE occasion to pack essentials only. Makeup will be a no-no, feel natural and free! As for clothing, bring 2 pairs of yoga pants, running shoes to walk around, flip-flops for the spa, 2 yoga shirts, a hoodie and a raincoat.

Stick with the detox food, even if people around are eating delicious-looking chocolate fondants. You’ll feel light and recharged in the end.

Have a massage…and even a head massage ;)

Finally, breathe in as much fresh air as possible. Enjoy the present moment!

You can book you own yoga retreat on the BookYogaRetreat website, where we found ours. They have packages from all over the world and some of them, like the one at Resort Svatá Katerina are very affordable! You’ll step out of your comfort zone and be glad you took time to focus on your body and mind (which we often forget to do while traveling intensely). You will go back home, ready to face many new challenges.

As you may have seen on our Instagram feed (@thesimplethrills), I spent my first week of summer vacation in New York City with my best friend. While we were there, a few things were on our list and one of the most important being to finally try SoulCycle!

SoulCycle is as they put it “indoor cycling re-invented”. Basically, it combines cardio with muscle training and choreography. It’s a 45 minute high intensity workout that will leave you in sweat and … asking for more! Each class has it’s own instructor and ends up with a stretching session.

Inside Soul Cycle – picture by StylebyZoey.com

Beginner’s guide

Call up the SoulCycle studio closest to you to set up your first class! You’ll get a discount and free shoes for your first ride. We enjoyed our’s at the East 83rd Street Studio on the Upper East Side, which has a great location and great energy!

Be sure to bring some water and to wear something comfortable. I like to go in cycling shorts or yoga pants. Short shorts are a no-no since they might make your legs rub against the bike.

If you need some help, don’t be shy ask someone at the studio to help you set up your bike. This is the most important part since it will ensure the class goes on smoothly.

Hype yourself up! Soul is all about the energy you put into the class so clap your hands and sing along: it’s your time to shine! Plus one of the best things about SoulCycle is that the classes are in a dark room so no need to worry about other people looking at you. Bonus : fluorescent lights make your clothes stand out in the dark!

Final thoughts

Sadly, SoulCycle isn’t in every city, but spinning classes with a twist might be closer to you than you would think. In Montreal, we have Spin Energie which is the equivalent of SoulCycle. Camille and I have been going there for a few months and this was the main reason we were so intrigued by SoulCycle, we wanted to try the original version! We have to say that while we adored our time at SoulCycle, we discovered that the workouts in our local studio were even harder!

While high intensity classes can be challenging, they really spice up a cardio routine and help bring you to the next level. You’ll be left with a huge smile on your face and be asking for the next class. Here’s the proof in the picture below!

By Manue Côté-Gravel, a contributor and bestfriend of the Simple Thrillers.

Gorgeous view of the mountains. – Photo credit : Matthew Goddard

Last summer, Sarah initiated me to River Stand Up Paddle Boarding. Unsurprisingly, I fell in love with this fun workout (and don’t forget the 360 degree tanning). After my recent move from Montreal to Calgary, I decided to purchase a SUP board in order to be able to fully enjoy my new surroundings. I tried my new board with a friend at Bow River. The view going down the river was quite impressive as this blue glacier water stream overlooks magnificent mountains.

It took us just over two and a half hours to paddle the section from Bow Falls to the town of Canmore on a sunny day. While some spots were quicker and a bit more challenging to navigate on, the overall experience was suitable for intermediate paddlers.

Create your own thrills

It’s true not everyone lives a short drive away from a world renowned natural wonder, but I really think we typically underestimate the fun we can have in our own backyard. Next Saturday, wake up, have a coffee and dare to create your own thrills!

Pick an activity! Anything from running, hiking or kayaking to throwing a soccer game or a music jam. If none of your friends are creating a weekend plan : create your own.

Look up locations! As of right now, Parks Canada does not advertise the Bow Falls to Canmore section as suitable for SUP. We took a chance and had a blast. Change up your routine. Discover new locations. Be a tourist and don’t be shy to ask before thinking you’re not allowed to do something.

Team up! Experiences are delightful when shared. They are enhanced when lived with the right gem. Pick an activity partner that shares your love for life, it’s the most attractive quality any human being can carry. Mid way down the Bow, my friend and I reminded ourselves of how fortunate we were to have this jaw-dropping, panorama view to ourselves in the busiest National Park of the country. His response was to drop his board shorts to his ankles and continue down his white ass out – Just because, might as well.

Last year, while in San Diego, I tried SUP (Stand-Up Paddle Board) for the very first time. My best friend and I took a class of SUP Yoga at Bliss Paddle Yoga and loved every minute of the experience. SUP isn’t that difficult, but your body is always in action since it’s trying to maintain it’s balance. Because of this, your abs tend to feel sore the next day, which I found pretty great. Obviously, the additional challenge makes the practice of yoga positions harder than usual but it’s a great experience and a great change to traditional yoga classes.

This weekend, I decided to head back to a SUP class and tried SUP Fitness in my hometown of Mont-Tremblant. A new company, Pop Yoga & SUP, was giving classes on Lac Tremblant I wanted to try. Saturday morning, I headed out to the lake with a friend, we were a little disappointed because there was a light rain, but still had a ton of fun.

The class started out with a light warm-up on the beach including some stretches and jumping-jacks to get our heartbeat up. Then, we headed out on the lake for 10 minutes of SUP to get to the spot where we’d anchor our boards and have the class. Once there, we did some push-ups, mountain climbers, leg raises and planks. We finished off with some stretches on the board. The sequence was active enough and allowed me to catch a light sweat. The next morning though, ayayayay! My abs, shoulders, love handles and legs were sore, proving SUP really challenges all your body.

I strongly recommend heading to either a SUP Yoga or SUP Fitness Class during the summer. These classes are a great workout and are a welcomed change from usual fitness classes. I was lucky enough to do both classes with a light breeze, if you’re a beginner the wind is definitely a factor as it will make it harder for you to come back to shore and make your arms work extra hard. Be sure to bring a towel and a bottle of water, you’ll need both once you get to shore.

I decided to talk to you about my favorite Inspirational Brand: Lorna Jane!

I discovered this brand thanks to my best friend when we were about to head out on our first Californian adventure! The adventures will without a doubt be discussed later but Lorna Jane and her active wear and recipes have to be discussed ASAP! Lorna Jane is the Australian fitness guru behind the Move Nourish Believe (MNB) philosophy!

When I first fell in love with the brand it was because of the clothes! They have the cutest fitness gear I’ve ever seen with colors and designs that you just want to show off! To me, feeling good in your workout clothes is one of the best ways to ensure that you’ll actually work out so Lorna Jane is perfect for this! The picture below is of my first pair of Lorna Jane short’s, so cute & colorful!

After we visited the Santa Monica store and came out with pants, bras and shorts, I learned more about the philosophy and started following Lorna Jane on social networks. The result is inspirational!

Lorna Jane actually started the brand because she was frustrated by the lack of inspiring activewear for women. She was a fitness instructor and started designing some clothes for the women in her classes. Thanks to the success of this endeavor, she quit her day job and started designing and launched the first retail store in 1990 with the help of their husband! Now 25 years later there are 155 stores worldwide and the Move Nourish Believe is gaining momentum.

Our customers are the culture and essence of our brand and their loyalty has always been incredibly special to me. When people wear Lorna Jane they are telling the world they want to be fitter, healthier and live a more inspirational life.

I definitely recommend visiting the MNB website. On it, you’ll find some great workouts, recipes and inspiration! Then please follow their Instagram page and get your daily dose of Inspiration!